“I’m still here, and I don’t know why – that’s the extraordinary puzzle of life”: Sir Anthony Hopkins at Red Sea International Film Festival 2025

The Red Sea International Film Festival was graced with a truly profound In Conversation on 10^th December, featuring the venerable Sir Anthony Hopkins. Far exceeding a mere career retrospective, the session offered a rare glimpse into the mind of a cinematic titan, interweaving memorable anecdotes with deeply personal philosophies on acting and existence, captivating a packed audience.

Hopkins, with characteristic candour, revisited his renowned portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. While reiterating his desire to play Lecter as a “machine”, he elaborated on the character’s nuanced psychological depth, noting a chilling “compassion, but no sense of humanity”. He highlighted Lecter’s astute ability to pinpoint vulnerability, dissecting Clarice Starling’s “cheap shoes” and “ambition” as symbols of a deeper, universal fear of mortality. The actor again delighted by demonstrating the chilling slurp from his iconic fava beans line, a detail he famously borrowed from Bela Lugosi’s Dracula.

Beyond the silver screen’s villains, Hopkins shared his enduring humility, often questioning why he received certain roles, recalling his surprise at being cast as Nixon (“I’m from South Wales, I’m not Nixon!”). He spoke of his early drive to “escape from my own limitations”, a personal quest that propelled his career. His acting philosophy, he explained, doesn’t demand “becoming” a character, but rather accessing the “dark, mysterious” depths within oneself. He passionately advocated for meticulous preparation, echoing a Vladimir Horowitz quote: “When I’m on stage, I’m a king,” a sentiment born from an early, amusing gaffe at the National Theatre where he accidentally delivered Iago’s lines to Laurence Olivier. He also offered a broader life lesson, suggesting that the “loudest mouth in the room, the bully,” is ultimately exhausted by the need to dominate, advising instead to “speak quietly, ask, say, suggest”.

One particularly compelling anecdote involved a chance encounter with destiny: contemplating a role in The Bounty, Hopkins found himself sitting behind the tombstone of William Bligh, the very character he was to play. This serendipitous moment underscored his belief in a guiding force beyond his own control. He thoughtfully re-evaluated Bligh as a “just man”, misunderstood for his “Puritan discipline” that ultimately ensured his crew’s survival.

The In Conversation at the Red Sea International Film Festival was a masterclass not just in acting, but in living. Sir Anthony Hopkins, with a cold, self-deprecating wit, expressed profound gratitude for a life that has “gone beyond my expectations”, confessing, “I’m still here, and I don’t know why – that’s the extraordinary puzzle of life.” His journey, marked by both legendary performances and an enduring philosophical curiosity, left the audience with a deeper appreciation for the complex tapestry of human experience.

Laura Della Corte
Image: Courtesy of Red Sea International Film Festival

For more information about the Red Sea International Film Festival 2025, visit here.